Equity theory mindmap
- Created by: aryan26
- Created on: 05-02-19 09:27
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- Equity theory
- Partners are concerned with fairness which is achieved when they get approximatelywhat they deserve
- One partners benefits minus costs= other partners benefits minus costs
- If a partner perceives the relationship as unfair they are going to be dissatisfied regardless of over or under benefitting
- Over benefitting = guilt and shame
- Under benefitting= anger and resent
- Perception. Of equity changes- normal to put in more than you receive at the start but if this continues = dissatisfaction
- Way of dealing also changes- what seemed unfair at the start may become the norm. The partner who gives more may start working harder to restore the balance
- Research evidence
- Utne et al: self report scales to measure equity. 118 ppts ages between 16 and 45 and had been together 2+ years before marrying. More equitab le=more satisfied
- Stafford & canary- studied 200 married couples completed questionnaires on equity and satisfaction
- Asked about ways they maintained relationships e.g. dividing chores and communication
- Partners who viewed relationship as fair followed by those who overbenefitted experienced most satisfaction
- Brown an and de Waal- study of capuchin monkeys. Deprived reward for completing a game= anger. Suggests equity has ancient origins
- Evaluation
- Reasearch support
- Berg and McQuinn- longitudinal study on. 38 dating couples
- High equity at the start of the relationship=strong predictor that they would stay together
- Perceived fairness is either present or not in relationships from the start; contrary to the prediction of the theory
- Dissatisfaction may be the cause not the consequence of inequity
- Van Yperen &Buunk- married c ouples and found that dissatisfaction in inequitable relationships increased
- Individual differences in perception of equity. Some people are less sensitive and are prepared to give more
- Hussman- Benevolents-prepared to give more
- Entitleds- believe they deserve to over benefit and don’t fell guilty about this
- Issues and debates
- Ignores differences in perception- Sprecher: women are more disturbed when under-benefitting and feel more guilt
- DeMaris et al: women are more focused on relationships so are more sensitive to injustices
- indicates gender differences thus the research has beta bias
- DeMaris et al: women are more focused on relationships so are more sensitive to injustices
- proposes a universal theory- Mills&Clarke: not possible to asses equity as input is often emotional which is unquantifiable
- better to use an idiographic approach which focuses on qualitative experiences
- doesn't account for cultural differences
- Aumer-Ryan: equity is more important in western cultures. those in non-western cultures were most satisfied when over benefiting- theory has culture bias
- Ignores differences in perception- Sprecher: women are more disturbed when under-benefitting and feel more guilt
- Partners are concerned with fairness which is achieved when they get approximatelywhat they deserve
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